I would like to invite 'fighting' people who always keeping themselves in media highlights pl. come in Uttar Pradesh where Mayavati government has decided to acquire 65 thousand hectare land for the construction of 8 lane highway known as 'Ganga Expressway' from Noida to Balia for the so-called comprehensive development. It means the project will not be confined up to 65 hectare only; more acquirement of land would be needed after the highway construction. The proposed land is known for its fertility and more than five million people are dependent for their livelihood. Farmers are not ready to give up their land for the same. This project was handing over to JP industries and expected cost is about forty thousand carores.

How do you define it? Is it progressive entrepreneurship? Are you looking any difference between Ganga expressway and Singur project?

Tata has withdrawn from west Bengal and reached a safer place in Gujarat. Nano is expected to come on road till March. But the people of Bengal are feeling defeated. They have lost about ten thousand employment opportunity and livelihood of more than that. As you are aware friend that agricultural development of Bengal is stagnant and no industry is surviving since long. Due to the lack of employment opportunity and livelihood options Bengal is facing severe crisis in recent days. While no waste land exists in west Bengal…what should be option for the industrial development, so that people can get jobs? There is no space for debate on agriculture vs industry. But certainly, it is the matter of debate why agriculture is declining and industries are coming at the cost of agriculture. Say…what is option for Bengali people after Tata?

I am also of the opinion that manufacturing and industry should not be promoted at the cost of agriculture. It would be suicidal for the country like India, where more than 65% people are still dependent on agriculture and rest also getting bread and butter. I feel there should be a justiciable ratio between agriculture and industry. Both should be complementary to each other. But how it is possible?

Agrarian sector is forced to decline. Farmers are committing suicide and marginal farmers are converting into landless laborers due to increasing input crisis. Now, Multinational companies and corporate are acquiring farmer's land at huge level. I don't want to initiate any debate here on the issue of WTO, GMO, market access for Indian farmers and India's agricultural policy. I hope you might know the fact about pathetic situation of agrarian sector.

I think, time has come to conclude our debate on the issue of alternative paradigm for India's development keeping common man in the centrality.

In my opinion, withdrawal of Tata form West Bengal is neither victory of people nor defeat of state. It has opened the door for debate on the issue of India's development…and we should take it forward.

Ambarish Rai

President, Lok Sangharsh Morcha__._,_.___

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